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Friday, October 3, 2014

PSU SJVNL crosses border; inks pact for Bhutan hydro project

SJVNL CMD RP Singh

IN A bid to tap the enormous hydroelectric potential in Bhutan,
the Himalayan Kingdom, the public sector Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) entered
into a pact for commissioning of the 600 MW Kholongchu Hydro Electric Project
in Bhutan, the company
said on October 1. Modi laid the stone of the project...

on June 16 where Bhutanese
Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay was also present.

This is the first hydro electric project being developed by
a joint venture company of public sector undertakings of both the governments,
the SJVNL said.

The project will be implemented under build, own, operate
and transfer (BOOT) model, the statement added.

Earlier, the inter-government agreement between Bhutan and
Indian governments was signed April 22 for execution of four hydropower
projects.

The Kholongchu project is a run-of-the-river project located
on the Kholongchu River. Following completion, the project will generate
2,568.52 million units of energy. The project is estimated to cost Rs.3,868.87
crore which will be shared in the ratio of 50:50 by the two joint venture
partners.

A Miniratna Schedule 'A' CPSE under the ministry of power, SJVNL
is a joint venture between the Govt. of
India and Govt. of Himachal Pradesh and today the company is fast emerging as a
major power player in the country. The present authorized capital of SJVNL is Rs
7000 crore.

SJVNL is successfully operating the country’s largest 1500 MW
Nathpa Jhakri Hydropower Station and is setting new benchmarks in generation and
maintenance year after year, after having tackled the silt erosion problems in
under-water turbine parts. Beginning from a single hydropower project company,
SJVNL today has a footprint in a diversified set of power projects, which
includes hydroelectric projects in Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Aurnachal
Pradesh and in the neighboring countries of Nepal and Bhutan, a thermal power project
in Bihar, a power transmission project in Nepal, wind power project in
Maharashtra and solar power projects in Gujarat and Rajasthan.